David Filner assumed the administrative leadership of the San Antonio Symphony in November, 2012. Led by Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing, the San Antonio Symphony is celebrating its 73rd year this season.

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

Ryo Plays Gershwin & Ravel

Ryo Yanagitani is the 2009 Gold Medal Winner of the San Antonio International Piano Competition. As part of his prize, he will be performing two piano concertos with the San Antonio Symphony this Friday and Saturday at the Majestic Theatre. Here is a brief video interview with Mr. Yanagitani after today’s rehearsal:

Ryo Yanagitani has distinguished himself as one of Canada’s most promising young concert artists. His most recent success includes winning the gold medal at the 10th San Antonio International Piano Competition, where he was also given special recognition for a performance of the complete Chopin Ballades. Among other honors, he is also the grand prize winner of the Hugo Kauder International Piano competition and a laureate of the Minnesota International Piano-e-Competition, the Dr. Luis Sigall International Piano competition in Viña del Mar (Chile), and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition.

A recipient of many scholarships and awards, Ryo has been endowed twice by the Canadian Arts Council with a grant as an Emerging Artist, and is a recipient of the Arthur Foote Scholarship from the Harvard Musical Association. He is an artist-in-residence of the Maxwell Shepherd Fund of Connecticut, as well as a pianist with the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation. Ryo is also increasingly recognized not only as a performer but also a pedagogue, and is frequently asked to adjudicate competitions and conduct master classes.

Ryo Yanagitani received his Masters of Music degree from the Yale School of Music under Boris Berman, a Bachelor Degree in Piano Performance from the University of British Columbia under Doctor Henri-Paul Sicsic, and an Artist Diploma from the Cleveland Institute under Sergei Babayan. He recently completed his residency requirement of the Yale School of Music Doctor of Musical Arts Degree, and currently resides in New Haven, Connecticut.

NEXT AT THE SYMPHONY:

November 5 & 6, 2010

Gershwin & Ravel

The roaring 1920s come alive with Gershwin’s and Ravel’s jazz-influenced masterpieces. These two Gershwin favorites are filled with memorable melodies that are audacious, sentimental and unabashedly American.

Tito Muñoz, conductor

Ryo Yanagitani, piano

Stravinsky: Symphony in C

Ravel: Piano Concerto in D major (Left Hand)

Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue

Gershwin: An American in Paris

Sunday, November 7 at 7 p.m.

FREE Veterans Day: Salute to Service Concert

Municipal Auditorium

Ken-David Masur, conductor

November 12 & 13, 2010

Colors Of Mexico

Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor

Elena Urioste, violin (Pictured on the right)

Revueltas: Redes Suite

Glazunov: Violin Concerto

Barber: Symphony No. 1 in One Movement

Chávez: Suite from Caballos de vapor (Horse Power)

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

Homenaje a México

Trinity University’s Laurie Auditorium

The soul of the golden age of Mexican music will come to life in this concert of historic and contemporary Mexican music. The Symphony will be joined by internationally recognized singers and musicians from Mexico. Visit siempremexico.org for details.